Pune’s Sassoon Hospital to Open Maharashtra’s First Pediatric Clinical Genetics Center
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 19th October 2024: In a significant step towards advancing pediatric healthcare, Maharashtra’s first-ever Center of Excellence in Clinical Genetics will soon open at Sassoon General Hospital, Pune. This initiative, led by the Department of Medical Education and Drugs, Government of Maharashtra, in collaboration with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (Nashik) and BJ Government Medical College, Pune, will make Sassoon General Hospital the only government hospital in the state to offer specialized clinical genetic services.
The Department of Paediatrics at Sassoon General Hospital is set to launch a dedicated Clinical Genetics OPD (Outpatient Department) service. The OPD will cater to pediatric patients suspected of having genetic diseases and will operate every Monday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
The center will offer a range of cutting-edge services, including genetic counseling, comprehensive patient examinations, karyotyping, and screening for conditions such as newborn thalassemia, sickle cell mutation, and congenital hypothyroidism. Additionally, pregnant mothers will receive specialized genetic screenings in collaboration with the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
The genetic testing will be conducted at the Gene Health Laboratory in Shivajinagar, Pune, under the auspices of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik. Further medical tests will be arranged through Sassoon General Hospital’s medical social workers to ensure that patients receive all necessary care.
The official inauguration of the Clinical Genetics OPD is expected in the coming days, with the appointment of a Clinical Geneticist currently underway.
This marks a major milestone in pediatric healthcare in Maharashtra, enhancing the state’s capacity to diagnose and treat genetic conditions in children.
